OUR FOODBANKS ARE OPEN AS NORMAL THROUGHOUT THE FESTIVE PERIOD
A full list of locations and opening times can be found on our website below:
Edinburgh Food Project: Food Banks information
Tag: Children and Families
Domestic Abuse: 7,500 people told of partner’s abusive past
More than 7,500 people have been told of a partner’s abusive past since the launch of a scheme six years ago to help tackle domestic abuse.
Police Scotland’s Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse in Scotland (DSDAS) was launched in October 2015 following a successful trial in Ayrshire and Aberdeen, and since then has received over 13,000 requests to ask about the background of a partner.
Of the 13,334 requests received, 7,530 people (56 per cent) were told that their current partner has a violent or abusive past.
Detective Chief Superintendent Sam Faulds, Head of Public Protection, said: “Behind the numbers are people who have either escaped becoming victims of domestic abuse, or who are now aware of their partner’s abusive past.
“Abusers manipulate and control their victims. Abuse can be gradual and it can be very difficult for victims of domestic abuse to recognise their situation and to then take action to get themselves out of it.
“DSDAS provides that first step. It can help prevent domestic abuse and the long term damage it can cause victims, their families and their children.
“People told about a partner’s past have the right to choose the course of action they wish to take, and practical support and advice is available from our partners.
“The scheme exists not just for those who may be at risk but for their friends or families to use too.
“Each year reports of domestic abuse increase over the festive period. This year we are acutely aware of the impact of the pandemic on victims locked in with the person responsible for their abuse.
“So this festive season we are appealing to friends, family, colleagues and neighbours or anyone who sees something to call it out if they are concerned that someone may be a victim of domestic abuse. Get in touch with us and we will make sure that person is ok and we will investigate the circumstances.
“All it takes is one person to alert us and we can help end the threat and harm caused by domestic abuse.”
Dr. Marsha Scott, Chief Executive of Scottish Women’s Aid said: “Survivors of domestic abuse face so many barriers to seeking support, and for loved ones it can be challenging finding the best way to support them safely.
“Providing a tool like the disclosure scheme that can inform survivors or their loved ones of previous abusive behaviour, could help in preventing harm to women, children and young people experiencing domestic abuse. If you are worried about someone you know, we want to remind you that our helpline is available 24/7 for confidential advice.”
Kate Wallace, Chief Executive of Victim Support Scotland, comments: “We fully support Police Scotland’s campaign, and hope this encourages people who have experienced domestic abuse to realise that they are not alone.
“With reports of domestic abuse increasing in Scotland, it is important to recognise the long-term trauma that domestic abuse can cause.
“Almost 90% of domestic abuse victims experience financial and coercive control. Our Victims’ Fund has helped hundreds of people in these situations purchase, for example, security systems, furniture for temporary housing, and household essentials. For many this is providing a lifeline.
“Victim Support Scotland provides confidential and emotional support to help empower anyone who may find themselves a victim of domestic abuse, going some way to give people the confidence to take back control of their lives.”
If you, or anyone you know, are being abused or are at risk of abuse, please contact Police Scotland on 101 or 999 in an emergency. Or if you need support please contact Scotland’s domestic abuse and forced marriage helpline on 0800 027 1234, where support is available 24/7.
Our domestic abuse campaign will run across various social media platforms until the end of January 2022.
Edinburgh youth charity is supported by Amazon
An Edinburgh charity that supports young people in the city has received £2,000 from Amazon Development Centre Scotland in Waterloo Place.
Canongate Youth provides a safe and welcoming space where young people aged 5-25 can enjoy a wide range of activities including cooking, art, games, employability support and group work. The charity also offers young people advice to help build skills, confidence and peer relationships.
Commenting on the donation, Graeme Smith, Managing Director at Amazon Development Centre Scotland, said: “At Amazon, we are passionate about developing young skills and confidence in young people.
“The staff and volunteers at Canongate Youth provide a brilliant service in Edinburgh and we are pleased to support them with this donation.”
Clare Jamieson, Manager of Canongate Youth, added: “We would like to extend our thanks to Graeme and the team for supporting us with this donation.
“Like all charities, we’ve found the last 18 months to be incredibly challenging but it’s donations like this that help us continue to support young people across Edinburgh during a time when they need us most.”
Amazon Development Centre Scotland has been based in Edinburgh since 2004 and is responsible for devising and growing innovations that bring new levels of choice and convenience to hundreds of millions of customers around the world.
It houses teams of leading engineers, scientists, designers and product managers who work on everything from interactive user interface design to large-scale distributed systems and machine learning.
Community donations are one of a number of ways in which Amazon is supporting communities across the UK during COVID-19.
Throughout the pandemic Amazon has provided disadvantaged students with free online STEM resources and supported virtual classrooms with no-cost resources from AWS and Amazon Future Engineer.
The company has also teamed up with charity partner Magic Breakfast to deliver more than five million healthy breakfasts to children at risk of hunger in disadvantaged areas around the UK.
For more information on how Amazon is supporting the UK during COVID-19, click: https://blog.aboutamazon.co.uk/amazons-actions-to-help-employees-communities-and-customers-affected-by-covid-19.
Preventing Homelessness: Scottish Government opens consultation
Views sought on proposed legal duties for public bodies
Health and social care services, children’s services, police and other public bodies will have a legal duty to ‘ask and act’ to prevent homelessness under Scottish Government proposals.
The measures would be part of new laws aimed at preventing homelessness, based on recommendations from an expert group convened by the charity Crisis at the request of the Scottish Government. They would represent the biggest change to Scotland’s homelessness legislation in almost a decade.
Public bodies would have a legal duty to identify anyone at risk of homelessness and either take action themselves or refer on to more appropriate help.
A consultation on the plans, run jointly with COSLA, will give people with experience of homelessness, alongside those from the housing sector, public bodies and others, the chance to share their views and help shape Scotland’s approach to preventing homelessness.
Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison said: “We know that the best way to end homelessness is to prevent it from happening in the first place. These new proposals build on the strong housing rights that already exist in Scotland for people who become homeless.
“Early action should be a shared public responsibility, giving people facing homelessness more choice and control over where they live.
“Homelessness is often a traumatic and unsettling experience that can have a profound impact on the lives of those involved, including children.
“By intervening at an earlier stage, and encouraging services to work together to respond to people’s needs, we can ensure fewer people and families are faced with having to re-build lives affected by homelessness.
“This will further add to our existing ambitious programme of work and investment to ensure everyone has a safe, warm place to call home.”
Jon Sparkes, Chief Executive of Crisis, said: “We strongly support plans for new duties for public bodies to prevent homelessness in Scotland.
“Scotland has made huge progress in its journey towards ending homelessness in recent years, but while the country has powerful protections in place for people experiencing homelessness, far too many people are being forced to reach crisis point before they get the help they need.
“Everyone has a role to play in preventing homelessness, and by introducing new duties requiring public services to ask about someone’s housing situation, and offer them the help they need, we can build a truly world leading system of homelessness prevention.”
Councillor Kelly Parry, COSLA Spokesperson for Community Wellbeing said: “People have a right to a place they can call home. Rough sleeping and sofa surfing is something we have always worked to eliminate.
“We welcome the proposal that the duty to end homelessness will be shared with other public bodies and look forward to being closely engaged in the consultation with other partners”.
Prevention of Homelessness Duties consultation – closes 31 March 2022
Vaccination Clinics in NHS Lothian
Adults over the age of 18 are being urged, where possible, to book their booster vaccination appointment in advance using the online portal to help avoid queues and keep everyone safe.
You can book your appointment at: http://www.nhsinform.scot/vaccinebooking
When you book an appointment, you can select the venue that you wish to attend. Confirmation of your booking, including the time and location will be sent to the email address linked to your portal registration.
DROP- IN CLINICS FOR BOOSTER VACCINE
Drop-in clinics for booster vaccinations for people over the age of 40 have been rolled out in some vaccination clinics across Lothian. However, it must be stressed that if you choose to use a drop-in clinic, instead of booking an appointment in advance, you may have to wait in queues to be seen.
If you choose to drop-in, please help keep everyone safe by wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing, even if you have to queue outside. If you have already booked an appointment and choose to drop-in beforehand, please cancel your slot to ensure it doesn’t go to waste.
There are lists of vaccination clinics running across Lothian which offer pre-booked appointment slots, but only some in East Lothian, Edinburgh, Midlothian and West Lothian will offer dedicated drop-in clinics for people aged 40 and over.
Available Drop-in clinics
Edinburgh:
| Allermuir Health Centre, 165 Colinton Mains Drive, Edinburgh EH13 9AF | Saturday and Sunday | 9.30am – 3.30pm |
| Craigmillar Medical Centre, 106 Niddrie Mains Road, Edinburgh EH16 4DT | Saturday and Sunday | 9.30am – 3.30pm |
| Tollcross Health Centre, Ponton Street, Edinburgh EH3 9PX | Saturday and Sunday | 9.30am – 3.30pm |
| Gracemount Health Centre, 24 Gracemount Drive, Edinburgh EH16 6RN | Saturday and Sunday | 9.30am – 3.30pm |
| Leith Community Treatment Centre, 12 Junction Place, Edinburgh EH6 5JQ | 7 days | 9.30 – 11.30am – 1 -6pm (last drop in 3.30pm Saturday and Sunday) |
| Pennywell All Care Centre, 1 Macmillan Crescent, Edinburgh EH4 4WL | 7 days | 9.30 – 11.30am – 1 -3pm |
| Sighthill Health Centre, 380 Calder Road, Edinburgh EH11 4AU | 7 days | 9.30 – 11.30am – 1 -3pm |
| Lowland Hall, Royal Vaccination Centre, Ingleston, Newbridge EH28 8NB | 7 days | 9.30am – 6.30pm |
| Ocean Terminal (first floor) | 7 days | 12 – 6.30pm |
| Conan Doyle Medical Centre, 4 Nether Liberton Loan, Edinburgh EH16 5TY | Saturday | 9.30am – 3.30pm |
| Mountcastle Health Centre, 132 Mountcastle Drive South, Edinburgh EH15 3LL | Saturday | 9.30am – 3.30pm |
| South Queensferry Medical Practice, 41 The Loan, South Queensferry EH30 9HA | Saturday | 9.30am – 3.30pm |
| Pentlands Medical Centre, 44 Pentland View, Currie EH14 5QB | Sunday | 9.30am – 3.30pm |
You can find out more about all the vaccination clinics running across Lothian and stay up to date with the latest news via the websites of the Health and Social Care Partnerships:
· Midlothian Health and Social Care Partnership
· West Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership
· Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership
· East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership
1st and 2nd DOSES
We are still encouraging those who have yet to receive their first dose or who are now due their second dose of the COVID vaccine to come forward.
Please note, as per the latest Scottish Government guidance, we are currently not offering second doses for those aged 12-15.
AstraZeneca, Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines are available at all the below locations. If you are using public transport to get to your appointment, see details below. You might find it useful to plan your journey either on Traveline Scotland’s website or Lothian Buses.
Pyramids Business Park, Easter Inch Steadings, Bathgate EH48 2EH. Mon-Sun, 08:00-19:00
You can get directions for driving here, and Lothian Buses’ travel advice is here.
Lowland Hall, Royal Highland Vaccination Centre, Ingliston. Mon-Sun, 08:00-19:00
You can use Lothian Buses to attend the mass vaccination centre at Lowland Hall; see this document for more information.
Gorebridge Vaccination Centre, Hunterfield Road, Gorebridge, EH23 4TX. Mon-Sun, 08:00-19:00
If you’re travelling to Gorebridge Vaccination Centre by bus, you can plan your journey using Borders Buses or Traveline Scotland (as mentioned above).
Edinburgh, Leith: Ocean Terminal, 74 Ocean Dr, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6JJ. Mon-Sun, 11:00-19:00.
Edinburgh, Leith: Leith Community Treatment Centre, Junction Place, Edinburgh, EH6 5JQ. Mon-Fri, 08:30-12:00 / 13:00-18:00.
Bonnyrigg: Midlothian Community Hospital, 70 Eskbank Road, Dalkeith, EH22 3ND. Mon-Fri, 08:00-19:00.
Haddington: East Lothian Community Hospital, Alderston Road, Haddington, East Lothian, EH41 3PF. Open for appointments only, between 8.20am and 4.30pm, seven days a week. Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca all available.
Musselburgh: Musselburgh Primary Care Centre, Inveresk Rd, East Lothian, Musselburgh EH21 7BP. Open for appointments only seven days a week between 8.20am and 4.30pm.
Dr Bell’s Family Centre announces new programme for Jan – Feb 2022
Our new programme is live!
If you live in #Leith (EH6/7) and have at least one child under the age of 5 you can join our community.
Our new programme is running from Monday 10th January until 11th February 2022.
Interested? Drop us an email at info@dbfc.org.uk
Inflation: At least 100,000 more people at risk of being pulled deeper into poverty
Families on low incomes are facing a worrying winter ahead as today’s figures show inflation has hit 5.1%. The rising cost of utilities are especially challenging given they take up such a large share of low-income families’ budgets.
The Government recently announced that benefits will be uprated by 3.1% in April which will close some of the growing gap between people’s incomes and their costs. However, this does not address the immediate hardship families are experiencing this winter.
In October, the Office for Budget Responsibility projected inflation to peak at 4.4% by April but today’s 5.1% exceeds that level.
New JRF analysis based on OBR forecasts shows that should inflation be 4.4% by next April:
- Around 100,000 individuals are at risk of falling into deep poverty (below 50% of median income after housing costs) due to benefit uprating being less than inflation in April
- Around 7 in 10 of whom live in households that contain children
- Around half live in working households
Given today’s high inflation figures, this could be an underestimate and even more individuals may be at risk of deep poverty.
The outlook is especially stark for people who are out of work and reliant on social security to make ends meet. These families have already experienced a £20-a-week cut to Universal Credit. This also comes after a decade of cuts and freezes to social security which has left the system wholly unable to provide the support millions of people need.
Katie Schmuecker, Deputy Director of Policy & Partnerships at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said: “It is deeply concerning that families on low incomes, who are already struggling to make their budgets stretch, are at risk of being pulled deeper into poverty. Prices are rising sharply and support available to people is inadequate.
“Everyone in our country should be able to afford the basics yet there is no sign of any respite on the horizon for families struggling to keep their heads above water. Too many people who are being hit by rising energy bills and increasing food prices are forced to ask themselves what essentials they will go without this winter.
“In a country like ours, social security should, at a bare minimum, enable people to meet their needs with dignity. Unless the Government urgently strengthens support, we will see more and more people being pulled deeper into poverty and debt in the months ahead. This is not only harmful but also completely avoidable.”
Deepfakes: What you should know
What parents need to know about Deepfakes
Edinburgh Police Scotland and The City of Edinburgh Council’s Christmas wish is to #KeepXmasSafe for young people whilst online & keep parents & carers more informed.
East Cairngorms on track to be leading adventure destination
A focus on adventure tourism is making the East Cairngorms one of the most popular destinations in the UK for mountain biking. The adventure tourism community’s best-kept secret, the area has seen a surge in people of all abilities, due to the surge in e-bike sales, taking to the trails to explore the best of Ballater, Braemar and the surrounding villages.
Boasting some of the best downward routes in the UK, the East Cairngorms, with its off-the-beaten-track, natural trails and long descents has seen a growing number of visitors to the area to experience the trails and stay locally.
Richard Watts, owner of Cycle Highlands based in Ballater, says that the appeal of the area being a “bike-in bike out” destination, and the increase sales of bikes during lockdown, has put the East Cairngorms on the map.
“During lockdown, our sales jumped nearly 40%, with half of all our retail now being e-bikes which has meant that it has really opened up the trails for all ability levels.
“What makes mountain biking unique in this area is that you have everything on your doorstep: quality accommodation, specialists services such as bike repair and maintenance, great hospitality, and the ability to get to a number of trails from your doorstep.
“The East Cairngorms is different to other mountain biking destinations as we have very long trails and can descend for 3-6kms close to, or straight into, a village centre. Our natural and hand cut trails sit amongst a stunning backdrop yet contain routes for all ability levels including families looking for that get-away holiday.”
Dominique and Daniel Drew-Martin took over the Ballater Hostel in 2016 and say that the demographics of people coming to mountain bike in the area has shifted: “There are so many mountain bike trails for all experience levels and, with the increased use of e-bikes, it really appeals to a huge range of people.
“We’ve had retired couples, families and new bike owners all come to spend time cycling and get to know the area which has been fantastic to see.”
Through a Scottish Government grant, Dominque and Daniel have invested in new tools and equipment to further attract outdoor adventurers to the area.
“We’ve always had a bike storage area, which is covered and dry, but this grant allowed us to buy additional items such as tools, bike locks and proper stands, that they can use. It means that after they’ve had a great day on the hills, they can then come to us and have an evening to dry off, chat with friends and then tinker with their bikes.”
Mountain biking has become an increasingly valuable part of tourism for Scotland. In 2020, according to Visit Scotland, 290,000 British residents took overnight visits to Scotland where adventure sports were part of the trip, contributing £112 million in spend.
To capitalise on this trend, a new campaign to promote mountain biking in the East Cairngorms was launched at the end of November by Ballater Business Association (BBA) and Braemar Tourism Group (BTG).
The campaign, which includes a website, promotional video, digital trail map, and trip planner, is the first in a series of five which aim to inspire visitors to explore the East Cairngorms as a year-round destination for outdoor activity.
For more information on mountain biking in the East Cairngorms, head to:
https://www.visitballater.com/east-cairngorms-mountain-biking-trail/
Will you help The Yard?
While we were celebrating our 35 Years of Play and planning our Christmas celebrations, we didnt know we had yet another challenge coming our way this year.
On the 7th of December, The Yard Edinburgh was a victim of vandalism. On Tuesday, a fire was deliberately initiated in the boardwalk, damaging the grounds, outdoors electric systems and the door of the Solar Dome.
We are devastated and currently doing our best to have affected areas repaired as soon as possible, which will be a costly process. Luckily, no one was harmed and damage was contained.
Services were suspended on Tuesday, but we reopened the following day. We are still going ahead with our Christmas celebrations as scheduled, but families will not be able to access some areas for a while which will reduce the quality of play experience we pride ourselves for at The Yard.
Despite this heartbreaking news, we are confident that we’ll come out to the other side stronger, as we always have.
Please support us today if you can and donate as much or as little as you can. Every donation will help us rise stronger and continue to be there for the families that use The Yard.
To see how you can help following the link:
